The day after my sister awaken her element, the news about a new prodigy spread like a wildfire. Different people came to our house. They invited her on some schools or institution to teach when she reach ten years old. While they’re just ignoring me. I didn’t even get one invitation. Now that I think about it, I’m going to school soon. I wonder how much they’re different from earth. Back in my school days on earth, my student life was fun. Aside from mathematics subject which was my favorite subject, all my grades from other subjects are just barely average.
I felt that I just ruined my young sister's childhood. What should I do to make up for my mistake? I need to protect her and my mom first. From my past experiences, there's always a people will envy on what you have. And they will do everything to destroy you. I was a businessman man after all. I can differentiate between the good and not so good people.
When I tried to remember how can I protect them. My favorite character in Bleach Anime saves me again. I recalled the eye patch of kenpachi that can store a vast amount of energy. I think in this world they’re called mana. The source of all magic.
It will be weird if I suddenly wear an eye patch. In the meantime, I disregard that thought. I need to think other items that will protect them.
…
A month or two later, finally, my sister’s famousness was subsided a bit. There were just a few people that invited her. If I’m not mistaken most of them came from the inner city.
In this kingdom, it only consists of three large cities. The Outer city which was I born and live for almost ten years. The Middle city where my current I was living. And the Inner city where the Royalties and big personalities were living.
When you’re living in the kingdom, you’re not poor for sure. Most of the poor were living outside of the kingdom’s city. The city of Ragard, the kingdom has no responsibility on them and they don’t have any big walls that protected them. Even though the kingdom has no responsibility on them, I heard that one of the royalties are managing that city. They still somewhat protected by the kingdom.
“Hey, brother let’s play in my room!” My sister said while pouting her cheeks. When I look to my sister, I always feel guilty.
Luckily, my sister didn’t have any idea on what’s happening to her. I didn’t see that she used her powers intentionally. But when she’s angry the air temperature sometimes suddenly dropped.
“Yah yah, let’s play, I will count up to three. 1,2 hmm.. where is beautiful Minerva?”
…
All people were treating us right. Well, besides Petra the main wife of my father. I don’t want to call her stepmom. As long as she see us, her face was always twitched in annoyance. I don't want to admit it but she’s quite a beauty too. I guess my father was one of those lady killers.
My mom agreed that I could come out but only in the backyard. Unlike our first house, this house was full of maids and slaves. I couldn't get enough space for my experiment. I don’t want to repeat the mistakes that I did before. Aside from eating the foods from earth, I didn't use my powers on any occasion.
After our moved here, my mom changed. Her movements are robot like. And she's always focused on my sister. I think overprotective might be the right term. Anyway, it's like I don't exist that much in our house. I think, I'm too behaved on my age and they think that I don't much have that big future. Unlike my sister.
And for my father. He’s more rarely went home. He only visited us once in this month. And we don't have much interaction either. But my sister got too much of his attention. Favoritism, I guess I can't argue him on that one. The dual element user in this kingdom was only four. Exotic might be the fitting word.
Because my father was the kingdom's minister of budget and finance. I’m shocked after I know this. I thought he’s just an above average businessman. And because of his position in this kingdom I was accepted into the top school that located in the inner city. My subjects or profession were more on agriculture.
There was a time that I asked my mother to teach me some swordsmanship. But she refused my request immediately. She said that I can learn them on school. My school is top notch. And I think she concluded that the teacher on that school was better than her.
…
In the next few weeks, I will be going to the top school of the kingdom. My existence here was still barely noticeable. Well, honestly all people here are robots like. They all looked scripted to me. Aside from my sister of course.
Fortunately, the Inner from Middle city distance was quite far. It will take 12 days before you reach your designated city. My mother told me that I will stay in the Inner city for three months before I can pay a visit to them.
My feelings were a mix of sadness and happiness. Happy coz I can explore the culture and more about this world. I’m a bit sad coz I’m sure that I will miss my mother and younger sister. Three months is still a long time. The most important part was I can experiment more about my concocted gift.
…
“Lee, wake up.. Wake up..” My mother said while tapping my shoulder.
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“Mom, what are you doing here?’” I said to her in a confusion manner.
“You need to leave now and go to the Inner city.” She said and lifted me up in sitting position.
“Heh? It’s in the middle of the night.. I want to sleep more.. And hey mom are you sure? I thought that I will leave in next month? Why now all of a sudden..” I said to her and began to yawn.
“I told you that because your sister was there, do you think she will agree that you will leave? Her new awakened powers may erupt.. Next month will be the beginning of your school.. Do your best there and stay safe.. You don’t need to learn to fight.. Just stay safe and come back to us..” She said and hugged me tightly.
Well, that makes sense. I think I understand the situation now.
“I will tell to your sister tomorrow that you just went to a doctor.. All your needed belongings are already prepared.. You can go there when you’re ready.” She said while looking at me in her watery eyes.
“Don’t worry mom, I will be careful and I’m sure that I will be back.. I will miss you both..”
…
My mom couldn’t take it anymore and before I leave I saw her crying. And it was quite loud. I want to say aloud that hey mom I’m not going to war or anything, I’m just going to school y’know. I will surely miss them.
In the meantime In the middle of the night. I’m in the carriage that has a symbol of the kingdom’s property that looked like a falcon bird that painted in white. I’m accompanied by eight robust full armored guards.
It’s quite boring here inside. It’s quite spacious but there’s no one I can talk with. All the guards have somewhat invisible barriers. They treat me like a king or some master. They don’t know that I just wanted to befriend with them.
“Sigh.. I need to learn more about this world’s cultural aspect..” I muttered.
After some yawning, I fall asleep.
...
When I lifted up my eyes. It’s already morning. I smell some roasted beef and went outside.
“Good morning Mr. Lee” The guards that eating saw me said in unison and bowed their head for a moment.
“”You don’t need to be formal. Lee is fine. Can I have some of that?” I said while smiling at them.
All them looked to each other for a few seconds before giving me some food.
“Where are we?” I asked the six guards that eating with me. The two remaining guards were still sleeping at some big basket at the back of my carriage. I guess they’re the ones who remain awake in the night. I guess they have a shifting of schedules too.
“Mr. Lee We are in the Mountain of Noros” Said by one of the middle age man that have a few wrinkles and remarkable slith scars on his face. I nodded my head and continue eating.
...
There’s still four mountain to traverse. Right, the middle and inner city were separated by five mountains. This was the reason our travel time was long. They said that there are few monsters here that living but most of them are just rank-E. That’s the reason they’re not hunted, most of the person that going to the city are strong or have strong guards. I’m counted as the latter type of person.
Still, I feel like I’m home upon seeing the nature in this world. They kinda similar to the earth’s mother nature. The thick virgin forest that’s in green color. But I think the trees here are much thicker and taller than earth is.
“Mr. Lee, we are ready to move out.” Said by the leader of the guards in my back.
“Oh, Sorry let’s go.”
...
We began our journey again to the Inner city. Sometimes, I talked to them and asked them some stuff but they have this barrier. It’s like they’re seeing me as a god. Ok, I think the god word maybe too much. But that’s how I felt.
After four days of traversing the mountains. There are some monsters that get in our way but my guards took care of them. I think the monsters were quite weak. One or two guards were enough for this journey, eight guards were quite overkilled.
But just when I’m about pondering things why did my family chose eight guards. I think, I know the reason. Bandits.
The carriage suddenly stop.
“Get to a defensive position. Mr. Lee life is our priority!” Milan shouted, the leader of the guard.
When I lifted up my eyes and check the window. My guards have already surrounded the carriage.
“Kill them all! Except for the kids on that Government Carriage.” One of the bandits shouted that echoed throughout the plain.
I should be nervous right now. But I feel excited. I didn’t kill people before. As I about to exit on the carriage.
“Mr. Lee stay inside the carriage. We’re gonna take care of them.” Thomas said in his usual confident manner. But I see his face was full of sweat. He doesn't want to die but he doesn't have a choice.
What happens next was left me stupefied.
“Milan, Thomas just surrender peacefully. Some higher ups gave us order to kill that kid.” One of my guards said. And unsheathed his sword as he pointed it out towards Milan and Thomas.
This is an inside job someone was trying to kill me.
“What is the meaning of this? Are you crazy? My job is to ensure Mr. Lee life in his trip to Inner city. Who? Who asks to kill Mr. Lee? This is a serious crime! I will protect Mr. Lee!” He shouted and lifted his axe that positioned behind his back.
“We are over fifty.. You’re a nice person Milan but my job is not the same as yours. We just want to give you a chance. How about you Thomas? I’m sure you value your little life.” One of my guards who’s our enemy now said in a confident manner.
“Why! Why! This should be a simple escorting job! I have a family.. But Mr. Lee is good to us.. But But.. I’m a soldier..” Thomas said in confusion while holding his head with his two hands.
“Thomas just run with Mr. Lee! I’m going to buy you some time. Your job is to protect Mr. Lee” Milan said to Thomas as he looked at me for a moment and smiled.
“What a pity.. You chose to die.. Kill them!” One of the bandits Roars. I think he’s the leader because he have an armor that looks quite expensive and a big looking boar that he’s riding.
…
Thomas didn’t even have time to get me. The bandits were fast and targeted my two remaining loyal guards.
*Thang*
*Thud*
A series of clashing metals could be heard. And a blood that spurted everywhere could be seen. I never thought that an old school battle will be this exciting. I didn’t see any mage around. I think Milan and Thomas will die if I will not make any move.
I activated my byakugan and I saw things more vivid. Then I summon my soul weapon or maybe Kenpachi's weapon is more appropriate term.
I could control the energy much better when I activated my byakugan.
Just when they about to hit my loyal two guards that were kneeling in exhaustion. I slash my sword in a horizontal direction. I could see the chaotic energy that approaching the four guards. In the blink of an eye, Not just the four enemies that I targeted died. But also the ten of whom was quite a distance with their leader died. I used the flash step to clean up the others who are running in their lives. My secret needs to remain unknown.
…
I don’t know but I don’t feel anything when I killed them. It’s like this is just natural. I see my two loyal guards unconscious and their body was battered everywhere.
As I seeing them. There’s a distinguishable feeling inside of me. These two people that I only met in just four or five days were protected me. Even their life was the cost of it.
I summon the two fruit and immediately put in their mouth. I clean up all the body of bandits or assassins maybe the fitting word.
Their condition was better after they eat the devil fruit. I get the map from Milan and quickly leave the area. If there’s someone who’s after my life. I need to become stronger not just to protect myself but also my remaining family. I know that this world is more savage than the earth.
I still have two weeks to train before going to school. It should be enough.